Biocoagulation of Dried Algae Chlorella sp. and Pellets of Aspergillus Niger in Decontamination Process of Wastewater, as a Presumed Source of Biofuel

Abstract

The removal of microalgae represents a problematic part of the water decontamination process, in which most techniques are expensive and non-ecological. In the paper, we focus on the synergistic relationship between microscopic filamentous fungi and algal culture. In the process of decontamination of a model sample containing ammonium ions, efficient biocoagulation, resp. co-pelletization of dried algae Chlorella sp. and Aspergillus niger sensu stricto are shown. The microscopic filamentous fungus species A. niger was added to a culture of an algal suspension of Chlorella sp., where the adhesion of the algal cells to the fungi subsequently occurred due to the electrostatic effect of the interaction, while the flocculation activity was approximately 70 to 80%. The algal cells adhered to the surface of the A. niger pellets, making them easily removable from the solution. The ability of filamentous fungi to capture organisms represents a great potential for the biological isolation of microalgae (biocoagulation) from production solutions because microalgae are considered to be a promising renewable source of oil and fermentables for bioenergy. This form of algae removal, or its harvesting, also represents a great low-cost method for collecting algae not only as a way of removing unnecessary material but also for the purpose of producing biofuels. Algae are a robust bioabsorbent for absorbing lipids from the environment, which after treatment can be used as a component of biodiesel. Chemical analyses also presented potential ecological innovation in the area of biofuel production. Energy-efficient and eco-friendly harvesting techniques are crucial to improving the economic viability of algal biofuel production.